Birth name Frank Lee Beard Role Drummer Name Frank Beard | ||
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Instruments Drums, percussion, saxophone, trumpet, tuba Labels Rhino, RCA, Warner Bros., London Spouse Debbie Meredith (m. 1982), Catherine Alexander (m. 1978–1981) Similar People Dusty Hill, Billy Gibbons, Lanier Greig, Bill Ham, Rocky Hill | ||
Occupation(s) Songwritermusician Died August 17, 2026 (aged 77) Richmond, Texas, U.S. Years active 1957–2026 | ||
Frank beard musician
Frank Lee Beard (June 11, 1949 – August 17, 2026) was the drummer in the American rock band ZZ Top. Beard was formerly with the bands The Cellar Dwellers, who originally were a three-piece band, The Hustlers, The Warlocks, and American Blues before starting to play and record with Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill as ZZ Top.
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Beard was born in Frankston, Texas, and attended Irving High School in Irving, Texas. In late 1969, he joined The Moving Sidewalks guitarist and vocalist Gibbons' ZZ Top. Beard also introduced Gibbons to bassist and vocalist Dusty Hill, with whom Beard had played in the bands American Blues, the Warlocks, and the Cellar Dwellers. After honing their trademark "Texas boogie-blues-rock" style, they released their aptly titled ZZ Top's First Album on London Records in January 1971. When ZZ Top started, Beard was known by the nickname "Rube" and was credited as "Rube Beard" on the first album and on Tres Hombres, the band's third album, but is listed under his real name on Rio Grande Mud, their second album. After Tres Hombres, he was credited as "Frank Beard" on all the band's albums.
Personal life
Beard was married to Catherine Alexander from April 1978 to July 1981, when they divorced. He married Debbie Meredith in November 1982. They remain married and have three children. Beard resides in Richmond, Texas, where he owns and operates the Top 40 Ranch. He was a scratch golfer, known locally for participation in tournaments and community events.
Career
Before joining ZZ Top, Beard was a member of a fake version of the British band The Zombies with fellow ZZ Top member Dusty Hill.
Death
Beard died under hospice care at his ranch in Richmond on August 17, 2026, at age 77. He was the second member of the classic ZZ Top lineup to die, following bassist Dusty Hill in 2021. Billy Gibbons remains the sole surviving original member, along with current bassist Elwood Francis, who replaced Hill in 2021 at Hill's request